The South Africa National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team timeline represents an unequal collision between history and courage. Upon returning to International cricket in 1991 after the imposed ban had completed and being able to compete in the ICC and world tournaments, South Africa was a force full of intensity and no fear, known for their discipline and world-class players. They quickly sent notice to the world, showing nations their talents were up there amongst the best.
Afghanistan, even before gaining ICC full status as a member in 2017, impressed the world with their high aggression, spirit, and competitive performances, often going toe-to-toe with the best teams and players in the world, like South Africa. The matches not only show skill, but every time are about the background of South Africa’s experience and Afghanistan‘s great story of rising from nothing. Each meeting tells a story of grit and pride and exciting cricket. This timeline tells a fascinating chapter in the global story of cricket.
2010 to Recent Encounters: Close Contests Between Cricket Powerhouses
- 2010 ICC T20 World Cup – The teams first played against each other in the 2010 T20 World Cup in Bridgetown, Barbados, where South Africa won their first game versus Afghanistan by 59 runs. South African player Morne Morkel was named Man of the Match, taking 4 wickets in 3 overs and helping South Africa secure their win over Afghanistan.
- 2016 ICC World Twenty20 – The Proteas hosted Afghanistan again, this time for their 20th match of the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in Mumbai, and won again but only by 37 runs. South Africa set a target of 210 runs from 20 overs, and Afghanistan came and scored 172 runs from their 20 overs. The game’s Man of the Match was Chris Morris.
- 2019 ICC World Cup – The Proteas played the Afghan Atalans in Cardiff in the opening match of the tournament in 2019. In the 21st match of the ICC World Cup 2019, South Africa won by 9 wickets using the D/L method, with Quinton de Kock making a half-century (68). Imran Tahir won the Man of the Match award for his outstanding effort, capturing four wickets in seven overs!
- 2023 ICC World Cup – In the 42nd Match of the 2023 ICC World Cup, the South African team defeated Afghanistan once more, this time by 5 wickets. Afghanistan scored 245 runs in 50 overs; however, the Proteas managed to chase down the score, scoring 247 runs in 47.3 overs.
- 2024 Afghanistan v South Africa – Afghanistan team won the 1st ODI of the 2024 ODI series, winning by in total of 6 wickets against South Africa. This was the first time that both Afghanistan Atalan teams were able to defeat the Proteas in history. South Africa won the toss and decided to bat. The Proteas scored a total of 106 runs. Afghanistan scored 107 and lost 4 wickets in 26 overs in their chase of the Proteas’ total. Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled extraordinarily well for Afghanistan, taking 4 wickets in his 7 overs, and was definitely the match-winner for Afghanistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi took the Man of the Match, bowling exceptionally for Afghanistan.
- 2024 Afghanistan v South Africa – Afghanistan defeated a formidable ICC Test Member team (South Africa) in the second ODI match in Sharjah, winning the first-ever ODI series by a comfortable margin of 177 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Afghanistan his all, hitting 105 runs to reach a century. In addition to Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s innings, Azmatullah Omarzai hit 86 runs off 50 balls to reach a half-century undefeated. Rashid Khan won Man of the Match after having an amazing day with the ball. In nine overs, Rashid Khan claimed five wickets.
- ICC T20 World Cup 2024 – This match is the first semifinal of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. South Africa thrashed Afghanistan by nine wickets in this game. Marco Jansen, the left-arm fast bowler for the South African team, was named Player of the Match after claiming 3 wickets in 3 overs.
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy – In match three of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Karachi, the South African team comfortably beat Afghanistan by 107 runs. This is the first time Afghanistan has played in the Champions Trophy. The South African team won the toss and chose to bat first. Ryan Rickelton had an extraordinary day, scoring a century (103 runs). Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen both scored fifties (52 runs). For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah was the best performer with 90 runs. Ryan Rickelton was awarded the Man of the Match
Expect to see intense encounters and thrilling finishes become commonplace when the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team collide in the future. With the Afghanistan cricket team coming to grips with their cricketing skills, the likelihood of Afghanistan creating headaches for South Africa is raised.
